L.A. burglars who targeted O.C. homes busted in Newport Beach

On Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at approximately 2:17 p.m., a resident called the Newport Beach Police Department’s Dispatch Center to report a Residential Burglary in Progress in the 200 block of Evening Canyon Road. The resident had just returned home and found two unknown male Hispanics inside his residence. The men exited the home, entered a white Kia sedan, and fled the scene along with a subject who had been waiting in the car. The vehicle was last seen travelling northbound on Evening Canyon Road.

At 2:28 p.m., a Laguna Beach Police Officer observed a vehicle matching the Kia’s description travelling northbound on Laguna Canyon Road, approaching Forest Avenue. As the Officer began to follow the vehicle, the Kia sped through a red light at the Forest Avenue intersection and proceeded northbound on Laguna Canyon Road. The Officer attempted to initiate a vehicle stop, but the driver of the Kia failed to yield.

As the pursuit approached El Toro Road, a collision occurred between the Kia and a white Toyota Prius, disabling the suspect vehicle. (The driver and sole occupant of the Prius was uninjured.) One subject exited the vehicle and fled the scene of the collision on foot. With the assistance of air support, Laguna Beach Police Officers were able to locate the suspect in the bushes nearby. Laguna Beach Police also detained the two subjects who remained in the Kia.

Newport Beach Police Detectives responded to the scene and arrested all three subjects. Property belonging to unknown additional victims was located inside the Kia. The Newport Beach Police Department urges any potential victims, or anyone with additional information, to contact Detective Bob Bennet or Detective Jon Jarema at 949-644-3790. Tips may also be left anonymously on the Newport Beach Police Department’s tip hotline at 1-800-550-NBPD. Detectives believe that these subjects are responsible for over 15 residential burglaries that have been committed throughout Orange County.